Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Christchurch Meadow, Belper
Tuesday, 12th March 2013, 7.45pm
Gresley Make A Point At Belper
Gresley were just nine minutes from pulling off a shock, but what would have been a deserved, victory at in-form Belper Town with a goal scored by Jordan Nadat on the stroke of half time. It was no more than their performance had warranted but were denied when Mark Ward struck to share the points.
Ryan Walker was missing for the visitors due to a slight injury sustained against Hucknall on Saturday along with Gareth Langford who had work commitments. This meant Jamie Barrett filled the full back slot with Danny Holmes coming into midfield.
The last time the two sides met was at the Moat Ground when Gresley took all three points with a fortunate goal gifted by their keeper at the end of the game so the visitors fully expected a tough game at Christchurch Meadows.
On a good playing surface, Gresley started quickly out of the blocks forcing three very early corners and from one a header needed to be pushed away by Nailers keeper Aaron Chapman. Another corner taken by Marc Goodfellow was headed over by Marc Strzyzewski and minutes later a good move down the left between Goodfellow and Jordi Gough ended with Gough firing a shot that needed to be tipped over by Chapman.
However, it was Belper who could have taken the lead against the run of play when a free kick from Simon Harrison was spilled by Gresley keeper Gary Hateley but Shaun Roulston could only poke the loose ball wide.
Chapman had been the busier of the two keepers in the first half and he needed to be alert when Mickey Lyons made a good run down the right before hitting a low shot that the keeper did well to hold at his near post.
As the half drew to a close Gresley took the lead when Nadat managed to turn in the area before hitting a shot that beat Chapman.
Belper could count themselves extremely fortunate to have eleven players on the pitch within three minutes of the re-start. Chapman came racing out of the area to beat Goodfellow to the ball but grabbed hold of it denying the Gresley man a chance on goal. The visitors were awarded a free kick but amazingly the referee didn't even speak to Chapman let alone show a card of any colour!
Gresley continued to have the upper hand but Belper went close to levelling things when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area taken by Glyn Cotton but Jon Froggatt could only put his header wide of the target.
The home side slowly began to get more into the game and the Gresley back line was being stretched at times. Froggatt almost got on the end of end inviting cross from Shaun Tuton and then a quick break resulted in the Gresley defence somehow scrambling the ball away from danger.
Another free kick from Cotton was this time headed over the bar as Belper began to look like they would get something out of the game. Their reward came with nine minutes of the game remaining when Gresley failed to deal with free kick into the box and Belper substitute Ward was able to slot the ball home from close in.
Indeed, Belper could have taken all three points but for the saves from Hateley. The first came when Froggatt hit a stinging shot which Hateley pushed away and then he made an even better save to deny Ward diving full length to push the ball away for a corner.
